Two common pesticide ingredients no longer need safety limits on food

US environmental regulators have removed the requirement for safety limits on two chemicals found in many pesticides. This means pesticide manufacturers can use these ingredients without proving they are safe at specific levels on crops or in animal products.

For decades, any chemical used in pesticides had to have a 'tolerance' — a maximum permissible level on food. This rule removes that requirement for two specific chemicals, making it easier and cheaper to formulate certain pesticides. It shifts the burden of proof away from manufacturers for these ingredients, potentially allowing wider use without specific safety thresholds.